Internships

Experiences

SUPER DTP PGRs share their experiences of undertaking internships as part of their doctoral training:

• Jack Sheehy: 3-month internship with the JNCC, 2021
• Lydia McGill: 3-month internship with NatureScot, 2020 

Current Opportunities

You are encouraged to source your own internship opportunities by defining what you are looking for and making approaches to relevant organisations if the below do not suit. The list of SUPER DTP associate partners is a useful reference for possible organisations to contact.

UKRI Research Exchange and Internship Opportunities

The UKRI provides year-round opportunities for SUPER DTP PGRs, as doctoral students funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council, to undertake a research exchange placement or internship. Find out more on the UKRI website.

Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations Governance of the Global Ocean Internship

IDDRI is a leading think tank that aims to strengthen international cooperation for a sustainable and prosperous future within planetary boundaries. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on diverse issues and tasks in support of these projects by:

• Reviewing scientific and policy literature;
• Attending relevant events and webinars;
• Contributing to the development and delivery of events;
• Monitoring relevant negotiations and policy processes;
• Preparing notes, analysis and contributing to the drafting of publications; and
• Assisting with communications and outreach activities.

This is a full time, 6-month internship with a stipend of 1,100€/month (~£5216.88 total). Part-subsidised meals and travel is also provided. The location of the internship is not provided. Find out more on the IDDRI website. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 May 2023.

Scottish Wildlife Trust Edinburgh Nature Network Manager

The SWT are looking for a Nature Network Manager to support the development of Edinburgh Nature Network (ENN), improving its impact through coordinated delivery. This is a full time, fixed term position for 10 months paid at £28,000 per annum (pro rata), based at the SWT Leith office, with some travel within Edinburgh. Find out more on the SWT website. The deadline for applications is Monday 5 June 2023.

Butterfly Conservation Ecologist

As a Conservation Ecologist, it will be your role to drive species recovery contributing directly to Butterfly Conservation’s goal to halve the number of the UK’s threatened butterflies and moths. You will build and support a network of volunteers and provide ecological support to staff, volunteers, and conservation partners. This is a full time, fixed term position for 12 months paid at £27,065 per annum, based remotely with some travel required to sites across England. Find out more on the Butterfly Conservation website. The deadline for applications is noon on Monday 5 June 2023.

NatureScot Project Officer – Fair Isle Demonstration & Research MPA

The Project Officer will ensure the effective ongoing coordination of the Fair Isle DR MPA, with a specific focus on delivering key activities to develop an effective, sustainable plan for the ongoing development and delivery. The Officer will take responsibility for coordinating the DR MPA and supporting stakeholders in their involvement with the site, and will lead on the development of research and demonstration initiatives. They will organise meetings and initiatives, provide support with associated administration and communications, and will lead on the ongoing development of fundraising to underpin the continued delivery of the DR MPA objectives. This is a part time (21hrs/wk), fixed term position for 12 months paid at £35,039 per annum (pro rata), based at a NatureScot office but home working considered. Find out more on the NatureScot website. The deadline for applications is noon on Thursday 8 June 2023.

British Ecological Society Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (BES POST) Fellowship

The BES POST Fellowship offers a PhD student a great opportunity to gain an insider’s view of how Parliament works. The successful candidate will hone their ability to communicate scientific issues to a wider audience, by writing policy briefs for MPs and Peers. Fellows work closely with people across the UK Parliament and get to see how select committees, all party parliamentary groups and libraries work. This is a full time, fixed term placement for 3 months from either November 2023 or January 2024 based in London. A stipend of £6000 is provided, £5000 upfront and the remaining £1000 upon completion. Find out more on the BES website. The deadline for applications is 11.59 pm on Tuesday 13 June 2023.  

NatureScot Marine Ornithology Adviser

The ornithology adviser will provide advice across NatureScot and to Scottish Government, Local Authorities, Non-Government Organisations, marine communities and other stakeholders. The marine ornithology team lead on work to identify and prioritise specific site-based and wider seas conservation measures focusing on those that provide the greatest benefits to marine birds in terms of biodiversity gain, enhancing climate change resilience /adaptation and responding to impacts of avian influenza. This role offers an opportunity to gain a wide variety of experience across multiple streams of marine ornithology. This is a full time, fixed term position for 12 months paid at £35,039 per annum, based at a NatureScot Office but home working considered. Find out more on the NatureScot website. The deadline for applications is noon on Wednesday 14 June 2023.

NatureScot Marine Information & Databases Adviser

This role within the Marine Ecosystems Activity Team will focus on ensuring marine information is accessible to a wide range of audiences and include updating and/or developing relevant online database and information platforms. The successful candidate will work as part of a group focussing on MPAs and Priority Marine Features (PMFs) but will also work closely with staff in the NatureScot’s Information and Cyber Security Team, Protected Areas Team, and external partners. This is a full time, fixed term position for 12 months paid at £35,039, based at Inverness or Perth, but other locations and home working considered. Find out more information on the NatureScot website. The deadline for applications is noon on Friday 16 June 2023.

Scottish Borders Council Ecology Officer

An opportunity has arisen to lead SBC’s statutory responsibilities in relation to biodiversity. As Officer, you will provide advice and guidance to ensure the integration of biodiversity principles into the Council’s decision-making, including expert input on ecology and biodiversity matters to the Council’s planning services. You will also play a key role in advising on several projects, including the South of Scotland Rural Land Use Pilot and the Borderlands Natural Capital Programme. This is a full time, fixed term position for 12 months until end of July 2024 paid at £38.180.42 per annum, remote working with some travel across the Borders. Find out more on the SBC website. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 20 June 2023.

The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures Intern

This placement will involve joining the Ri at its busiest and most exciting time of year; the planning, filming and broadcasting of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES. This three-part series is filmed in front of a live audience and watched by millions on the BBC over the festive period. You don’t need TV or presenting experience, but experience working on projects with multiple stakeholders and a rigid timetable and experience of delivering science communication/education projects would be useful. This is a full time, 3-month internship from September to December 2023, based at 21 Albemarle Street, London. It is unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the Ri website. The deadline for applications is 9.00 am on Tuesday 11 July 2023.

The Royal Institution Digital Media Interns x4

As digital media intern, you will help support the Ri’s digital content production and platforms. Responsibilities for the internship will vary depending on your interests and experience, and the time of year. There are four full time, 3-month internships from either October 2023 to January 2024, February to April 2024, May to July 2024, or August to October 2024, based at 21 Albemarle Street, London. It is unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the Ri website. The deadline for applications is 9.00 am on Tuesday 18 July 2023.

The Royal Institution Marketing & Communications Intern

To help support the many different media and communications campaigns in the lead-up to the  CHRISTMAS LECTURES and support the marketing of the Public Programme talks  for the first quarter of 2024. You will act as ‘writer in residence’/press officer, creating interest pieces for the Ri to pitch to media contacts and blog content to support organic search engine optimisation. Formal experience is not necessary, but a passion for writing copy and the ability to edit content would be ideal. This is a full time, 3-month internship from September to December 2023, based at 21 Albemarle Street, London. It is unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the Ri website. The deadline for applications is 9.00 am on Tuesday 25 July 2023.

The Royal Institution L’Oreal Young Scientist Centre Interns x3

The L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre delivers a programme of inspiring science workshops to young people aged 7 to 18. Workshops range from investigating acids and alkalis while making bath bombs with primary aged children to using micropipettes, restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis with secondary aged students to determine who may have committed a (fictional) crime. As the intern, you will assist the delivery of these workshops, interacting with the young people who attend and building your confidence in presenting educational content, developing your skills in a lab technician role, and designing content for use at events and on Ri social media. Experience of working in science communication or with young people is not necessary; you just need to be interested in science education/education outreach, enthusiastic to get involved and keen to learn new skills. There are three full time, 3-month internships from either February to April 2024, May to July 2024, or August to October 2024, based at 21 Albemarle Street, London. It is unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the Ri website. The deadline for applications is 9.00 am on Tuesday 8 August 2023.

People’s Trust for Endangered Species Student Internship

The PTES Wildlife Conservation Internship Programme began in 2001. Since then over 90 young people have benefitted, working on practical projects helping hedgehogs, water voles, pine martens, bats, adders, bottlenose dolphins, numerous butterflies and a host of other species. Internships range from full time for 6 months, up to 18 months part-time. A grant of up to £5,000 is available to support living costs whilst the work is undertaken. Find out more on the PTES website. Apply any time, recruitment is ongoing.

The United Nations (UN) Internship Programme

The UN offers internships across multiple departments in locations worldwide. Internships last for at least two and can be as long as six months and are unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the UN website and apply for open positions here. Apply for the UN Environment Programme specifically here. 

Marine Conservation Institute (MCI) Development & Communications Internship

MCI interns have the opportunity to gain important skills in environmental conservation communications and development. Interns will help coordinate institute-wide communications including, but not limited to, social media, blogs, web design, press releases, action alerts, daily news clips, monthly newsletters, videos and infographics. Interns also have the opportunity to contribute pieces to the institute’s blog, On The Tide. Located in Glen Ellen, California for a period of 3-4 months with flexible dates, you will work on a voluntary basis either part or full time. Some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the MCI website. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime.

The Technology Partnership (TTP) Industry Internships

TTP is an independent technology company where scientists, engineers, and designers collaborate to invent and develop new products and technologies. Your internship will see you putting your technical and research skills to work within a commercially focused environment; providing the opportunity to experience how your academic knowledge and skillsets could be utilised within an industry setting. Flexible length of programme, usually between 3 to 6 months. Internships are paid. Find out more on the TTP website. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime. 

Oxford University Innovation (OUI) Licensing & Ventures Internship

During your time with OUI, you will work on at least two real world technology transfer and commercialisation projects from Oxford University to industry. Working with the rest of the L&V team and university researchers you will:

• Understand technologies;
• Research the potential markets and industries for those technologies;
• Evaluate the commercial opportunities and the competitive landscape.

These hybrid internships are 3 to 6-months long and are unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more via this document. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Policy Internships

Successful interns will provide support to OECD Policy Analysts in one of many areas, including climate, energy, and science and technology. Typical tasks include:

• participating in the preparation of studies and documents, carrying out research and reviews of existing materials;
• collecting, organising, and analysing data;
• contributing to the production of documents, working papers and publications resulting from the above activities, including drafting notes and preparing technical annexes, and;
• liaising and building networks with officials in national administrations, researchers, other international organisations and member country Delegations.

The majority of internships are based in Paris, France and are 1 to 6 months in duration on a full-time basis. Interns receive a contribution to living expenses of ~700€/mnth. Find our more on the OECD website. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime.

STEM Ambassador Programme

The STEM Ambassador programme through STEM Learning is flexible, allowing you to volunteer in a way that suits you, it could be online or in person, in schools or in community groups, by supporting lessons or extra-curricular activities and working with young people or their educators. STEM Ambassadors make an impact by:

• Supporting learning – help young people to understand the real world applications of their learning.
• Illuminating careers – showcase different careers, providing information on roles and pathways into industry while raising awareness of the skills that are important in the workplace.
• Raising aspirations – give young people the opportunity to meet a wide range of inspiring role models, encouraging them as they think about their future.

 Find out more on the STEM Learning website. Recruitment is ongoing, apply anytime.